Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Holidays Weigh ‘Heavy’ on Women’s Waistlines

The holidays
can be a hectic time, and for many women, the stress takes a toll on
their waistlines, says a new survey from FITNESS Magazine and Jenny
Craig. According to results, even though the
majority of women have been on at least one diet during the past two
years, nearly half (47 percent)
admit to gaining an average of four to five pounds during the holiday/winter months.

“The holidays
can be a difficult time as there are so many delicious options at
parties and dinners,” said Barbara Rolls, Professor of Nutritional
Sciences and the Helen A. Guthrie Chair in Nutrition at The Pennsylvania
State University and founder of the Volumetrics® Approach to eating,
exclusively featured in the Jenny Craig program. “Moderation is key.
You can enjoy your favorite holiday treats, but do so in smaller portions and be sure to fill up on lots of lower-density
foods such a big salad. Just hold the creamy dressing.”

According to the survey
data, rich comfort food and an increase in social gatherings were the
primary culprits for weight gain. Nearly
two-thirds of women (61 percent) noted that they could not resist the allure of tasty treats often available during the holiday
season. Increased stress, limited selection of fresh fruit and
vegetables, and decreased activity (due to a slump in motivation)
also factored into cold-weather weight gain. Sixty-six percent cited that they are less motivated to be physically active during the winter months.

FITNESS Magazine and Jenny Craig have teamed up to offer some tips so consumers can still indulge while avoiding the bulge:

Fill your plate with healthy fruits and veggies —Losing and maintaining a healthy weight is all about moderation, not deprivation.
Barbara Rolls’ Volumetrics®
Approach, which is exclusive to the Jenny Craig program, includes
suggestions such as eating an apple or drinking a hot cup of chicken
broth before heading to a social gathering. You will
be less hungry and more prone to choose healthier options such as
shrimp cocktail, crudité and fruit skewers, which you can eat in
abundance.

Eat one treat — Choose one “splurge” on the entire buffet table
to eat and then choose healthier options for the remainder of your
plate. This way, you still feel like you can participate in the
festivities, without the consequences later. A splurge,
for example, would be a small slice of cheesecake, a chocolate truffle
or a glass of wine or champagne.

Have a game plan in advance — Having a game plan before you go to a dinner or holiday
party can make all the difference. Jenny Craig offers consultants who
can help plan out your meals or adjust your activity levels, so that you
can enjoy your celebrations
and avoid having to think on your feet about what you’re going to eat.

Sneak in a workout without even feeling it – During the holidays,
it can be easy to lose motivation to stay active, especially during the
winter months. Since physical activity is so important to achieving and
maintaining a healthy weight, stay inspired
by trying a new class, taking a walk at lunch with friends or even
doing some laps around the office to burn a few extra calories around
the holidays. This is of course, in addition to regular, moderate exercise two to three times per week.

Yes, you can drink alcohol and lose weight – Most traditional
cocktails average more than 250 calories, so look for lower-calorie
options. A wine spritzer is approximately 60 calories. Or, opt for
celebratory champagne; an average flute is about 80-100
calories. Also, remember to hydrate yourself – you can still feel
festive by enjoying a sparkling water with cranberry.

Be the friend you want to have! – Before you head over to a holiday
party, call the host to see if they want you to bring over a healthy
option, such as a hummus and veggie platter. That way, you know you will
be able to fill your plate with something
tasty without loading up on the calories and will help your friends do
the same.

“We hope that these survey results empower consumers to take a proactive
approach when it comes to managing their weight during the holidays,”
said Dana Fiser, CEO of Jenny Craig. “Jenny’s one-on-one consultations
provide clients with successful strategies
to create a healthy relationship with food, while encouraging moderate
activity and a balanced approach to living, which can help achieve and
maintain a healthy weight. In fact, Jenny clients lose three times more
weight than dieting on their own.”